Liuzhou Travelogue: An Enchanted April in Liuzhou, When the City Bursts into Bauhinia Blossoms
When you think of Liuzhou in Guangxi, what comes to mind?
For many, the first thought is luosifen (river snail rice noodles). But Liuzhou is more than just its famous noodles; it’s also home to breathtaking scenery, especially in this vibrant season when the whole city is draped in a sea of pink and purple bauhinia flowers.
In April, Liuzhou bursts into bauhinia bloom. The entire city is submerged in a sea of pink and purple blossoms, the air fragrant with their perfume. Nearly 300,000 bauhinia trees adorn every corner – along streets, around park pavilions, on hillsides, by the riverbank – like a dreamscape. Splashes of vivid purplish-pink crown the branches, and each bauhinia flower sways in the breeze, as if whispering the story of blossoms and the city. Right now, I’m in Liuzhou, ready to take you on a romantic bauhinia-viewing journey.
Liuzhou is a city in the north-central part of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Historically known as ‘Dragon City’, its topography is shaped by three rivers converging and encircling the city like a gourd – hence it’s also called ‘Gourd City’.
Human inhabitation dates back 50,000 years to the ‘Liujiang Man’. The city itself has a history of over 2,100 years. Liuzhou features classic karst landscapes, giving rise to a scenery where towering peaks seem to spring from the earth like a scroll painting.
The rocky mountains are uniquely beautiful, caves are magnificent and mystical, springs are deep and emerald, and rivers twist and turn in crystal clarity. Boasting rich cultural heritage and abundant tourism resources, Liuzhou is a national top-tier tourist city and a historic and cultural city.
Purple romance – a single flower captivates the city. The bond between bauhinia and Liuzhou stretches back over 80 years. In 1939, the first bauhinia bloomed in Shatang Town, taking root in Dragon City. In 2018, the bauhinia was designated as Liuzhou’s city flower, and now nearly 300,000 bauhinia trees burst into bloom each April right on schedule.
The bauhinia bloom lasts about half a month, this year until April 25th. Right now, Liuzhou seems filtered through a dreamy purple lens. Let’s not fail the springtime nor the flowering season!
Bauhinia blooms in magnificent profusion, drawing visitors from all around to capture the splendid spring scenery. Here, cici recommends four classic bauhinia-viewing routes:
1. Park Route: Admire Ancient Bauhinia Trees
Dalongtan Scenic Area – Liyufeng Scenic Area (Yufeng Mountain, Ma’an Mountain) – Jiangbin Park – Wenhui Road – Wantang Road – Liuhou Park – Liuhou Chess & Card Room (see the oldest bauhinia in the park) – People’s Square – Liuzhou Museum – Sanzhong Road – Yuejin Road – Que’ershan Park
Highlight: Dalongtan Park (Longtan Park)
Located south of the city center, about 3 km away, the park covers a planned area of 544 hectares and integrates karst natural scenery. Surrounded by mountains, it has only a north and an east exit, so no urban buildings are visible – a perfect retreat from the city bustle, ideal for leisurely walks.
Flower fragrance wafts across the park squares, and palm trees sway gracefully in the valleys. The main paths are shaded by towering trees, with lush green grass lining the roadsides. Subtropical plants like fishtail palms and queen palms thrive, and a swimming pool, 5D cinema, and distinctive Dai-style buildings are scattered throughout. In spring, the bauhinia trees burst into bloom, and the pinkish-purple groves reflect beautifully against the wind-and-rain bridge – a truly enchanting sight.
Highlight: Wantang Road
When you mention bauhinia in Liuzhou, locals think first of Wantang Road. Bauhinia trees have been planted here since last century, so it’s the locals’ beloved ‘Bauhinia Road’. The road’s distinctive S-shaped curve adds to its charm – viewed from above, the bauhinia blossoms form a curving sea of pink, unbelievably romantic.
Highlight: Liuhou Park
This park was built to commemorate Liu Zongyuan, the Tang Dynasty literary giant who once served as the governor of Liuzhou. It is the most famous historic site in Guangxi and the only key park of its kind. The park’s tranquil environment, with bauhinia blossoms blooming beneath pavilions and terraces, imparts an air of serenity. Liuhou Park is a city-center oasis dedicated to Liu Zongyuan, a perfect place to find peace amid the urban hustle. The park features a classic Jiangnan style, with towering trees and leisurely strollers – many locals come here for morning exercises or after-dinner walks.
Highlight: Sanzhong Road
As a main thoroughfare, Sanzhong Road is lined entirely with bauhinia trees as street trees. In flowering season, the road is awash in pure pink, almost without any other colors.
2. River View Route: Enjoy the Gentle Bauhinia Blossoms
Xidi Road (start from Henan Bridge) – Huxi Bridge – Binjiang West Road – Liujiang Large Musical Fountain – Binjiang East Road (waterside platform) – Wenchang Bridge – Dongdi Road – Yanjiang Road – Huanjiang Waterfront Avenue – Sanmenjiang National Forest Park – Jinglan Water Sports Base
Highlight: Walking along Binjiang West Road, Binjiang East Road, Dongdi Road, and Yanjiang Road will treat you to many beautiful views of Liuzhou. These two roads on either side of the city-center river bend are blanketed with bauhinia blossoms – not to be missed. Along the Huanjiang Waterfront Avenue, many newly planted bauhinia trees are celebrating their first flowering season this year. New flowers on a new road – a delightful pairing.
Most of the bauhinia trees along the waterfront avenue are newly planted and not yet in full bloom, but the road itself is beautiful and relaxing, perfect for a leisurely stroll.
3. Social-Media-Worthy Route: Popular Bauhinia Spots
Putao Mountain Road – Hangyi Road (near gas station) – Liuzhou Confucian Temple – Shuinan Road – Panlong Park riverside path – Civic Square – Shuangyuhui – Haiguan Road – Guiliu Road – Xueyuan Road – Jinglan Road – Dongjin Avenue
Highlight: Panlongshan Park
Panlongshan, also known as Baota Hill, stands on the east bank of the Liujiang River. It features three peaks that rise dramatically beside the river, resembling a coiling dragon – hence the name. Now a park, its main peak soars to 197 meters, with precipitous yet graceful terrain.
The hill also boasts cultural sites like Pangu Temple, Wangshi Mountain, and Donglin Cave. Its deep religious atmosphere draws worshippers from all directions, with incense smoke wafting all day long. Each April, bauhinia flowers bloom all over the hill. Gazing east from the Liujiang Bridge, you’ll see the profusion of pink and purple flowers setting off the twin pagodas, their reflection inverted on the river like the sleeve of a dancing maiden, harmonizing beautifully with the Wenhui Bridge.
Highlight: Guiliu Road and Shuinan Road
Guiliu Road connects Liudong New District with the city center, and the bauhinia blossoms along it create a stunning ‘roadscape’ – one can ‘travel amid the flowers’ whispers’. Shuinan Road’s bauhinia trees are relatively small but are neatly lined, without a single mixed species.
4. Cultural Route: Artistic Bauhinia Viewing
Liuzhou Military Museum – Liuzhou Zoo – Liuzhou Bauhinia Bookstore – Liuzhou Bauhinia Cultural Creative Gallery Exhibition Hall – Yaobu Ancient Town – Liuzhou Industrial Museum
After listing all these routes, you might wonder: what’s the best way to enjoy the blossoms? Cici recommends exploring the city-center bauhinia by bike or on foot. Use People’s Square as your base, since it’s a prime free viewing spot. From there, you can follow the classic park route or the river-view route.
1. Walking Tour
People’s Square – East Passage of the Square – West Gate of Liuhou Park – Liuhou Chess & Card Room (see the park’s oldest bauhinia) – East Gate of Liuhou Park – Wantang Road (the most beautiful bauhinia road) – Wenhui Road (view the oldest bauhinia trees along the road) – return to People’s Square
2. Cycling Tour
People’s Square – East Passage of the Square – Guangchang Road – Youyi Road – Wenchang Bridge – Yaobu Ancient Town – Civic Square – South section of Dongdi Garden – North side park of Shuangyuhui – Hudong Bridge – Tanzhong Middle Road – Sanzhong Road – Wantang Road (the most beautiful bauhinia road) – Wenhui Road (view the oldest bauhinia trees along the road) – return to People’s Square
Last night’s spring breeze made green leaves fall, while flowers filled Dragon City and fragrance perfumed the streets. The city awash in pink and purple is Liuzhou’s romance – a whole city captivated by a single flower. This spring, why not plan a trip to Liuzhou? Come here, slurp a bowl of luosifen, admire the blossoms, and create your own romantic memories.
Travelogue Directory: 1. Preface; 2. Part One – Where is Liuzhou; 3. Part Two – Bauhinia Blooms in Liuzhou; 4. Part Three – Flower-Viewing Journey; 5. Part Four – Flower-Viewing Methods; 6. Part Five – Conclusion. Travel Info Hotel Index Guide Index Flight Index Website Navigation Travel Index Cruise Index Corporate Travel Index Join & Cooperate Distribution Alliance Links Corporate Gift Card Purchase Insurance Agent Agent Cooperation Hotel Franchise Destination & Scenic Cooperation More Cooperation About Ctrip About Ctrip Ctrip Hot Topics Contact Us Careers User Agreement Privacy Policy Business License Security Center Ctrip Content Center Intellectual Property Trip.com Group Algorithm Disclosure
